Little Vintage Baking

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Gingerbread Cookie Wreath Tutorial

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Not only can you legit eat the cookies off of this wreath, but you can hang it up as an actual wreath! I am so excited to share my gingerbread cookie wreath tutorial with you. Of course you know I absolutely love creating edible art, so I LOVED making this wreath. It’s currently hanging up in my house. Some cookies missing, of course, because little hands found out that she could eat this wreath. This wreath makes for a beautiful gift, a great addition to holiday decor and also looks beautiful as a centerpiece. It’s totally a project that can be done with the kiddos or as a family. So fun, and so delicious.

Gingerbread Wreath

The gingerbread cookies

Gingerbread cookies are so full of flavor and warming spices, what is there not to love? These gingerbread cookies don’t spread in the oven, and no chilling is required before baking. Because the cookies have molasses in them, the dough can be a bit sticky. I like to roll the cookies out on a silicone baking mat. I cover the dough in parchment, then roll them out. Be sure to liberally flour your surface, and check occasionally to make sure they’re not sticking. I keep my bench scraper handy to lift up the dough and add more flour as needed.

Gingerbread Cookie Wreath

Decorating the gingerbread cookies

This gingerbread cookie wreath is easily adaptable to other cookie shapes and icing colors. I have different Christmas cookie cutters, but I default to snowflakes all. the. time. They’re my favorite. This wreath would look adorable with ornament cookies. Star of David cookies would be amazing for a Hanukah wreath.

I used a variety of decorating methods for my gingerbread cookies. I used these cutters and this cutter for the snowflakes. I cut out some snowflakes that I left entirely undecorated to be used as a foundation layer on the wreath. Those cookies get coated with confectioners sugar.

For the cut out designs, I used a small tear drop shaped cutter from this cutter set and a #3 piping tip for the small holes. I used the smallest cutter in the snowflake cutter set to cut out the centers for the stained glass cookie technique. For some royal icing snowflake techniques, check out my sugar cookie post here.

Gingerbread Cookie Wreath

For the stained glass cookie technique, you will need Jolly Ranchers, or another hard (not sugar free) candy. Place the desired colors into individual zip top bags. Cover the bags with a kitchen towel, and use a rolling pin to smash them into very small pieces. I suppose you could use a food processor, but where’s the fun in that? #2020

Fill the cut out areas with the Jolly Rancher pieces until it’s filled almost flush with the cookie.

Only a few supplies are needed for the gingerbread cookie wreath. Gingerbread cookies (recipe below), royal icing, a 12″ wood floral ring (I got mine from Michaels Craft Store, and it is the Ashland brand.), Press and Seal, and a festive ribbon for hanging.

Gingerbread Cookie Wreath

How to make the gingerbread cookie wreath

To make the wreath form food safe, cut strips of Press and Seal and wrap tightly around the form, leaving one of the holes in the form accessible for the ribbon.

Cut a length of ribbon (as long as you would like for hanging it) and thread it through the hole of the frame.

Lay down the first (foundation) layer of cookies. I used solid cut out snowflake cookies with no additional decoration as my foundation cookies. “Glue” the cookies to the wreath form with royal icing. Be generous with the royal as you want these cookies to really be stuck on there.

Gingerbread Cookie Wreath

Place the wreath onto a piece of parchment paper, and using a small sieve, dust the foundation cookies with confectioner’s sugar. It give the cookies a snowy appearance.

Glue the decorated cookies onto the wreath form, staggering them and alternating designs. Glue down the larger cookies with royal icing first, followed by smaller cookies to fill in any gaps. You want to conceal as much of the frame as you can.

If desired, tie a bow around the ribbon hanger.

Let the wreath dry overnight. The royal icing glue needs to dry completely or the cookies will slide off.

Gingerbread Cookie Wreath

I hope you love this gingerbread wreath tutorial as much as I do. If you make it, I’d LOVE to know! Comment below or tag me on Instagram.

Enjoy!

Ash xx

Gingerbread Cookie Wreath
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Gingerbread Cookie Cutouts

No spread gingerbread cut out cookies made with molasses and warm spices.
Course: Dessert

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (360g) all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2/3 cup (142g) light brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons (84g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (170g) molasses

Instructions

  • Whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until smooth, fluffy and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the egg, followed by the vanilla extract, beating until just combined.
  • Add in the molasses, beating until just combined. Scrape down the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
  • With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and beat until the dough starts to form large clumps and no large pockets of flour remain.
  • Turn the dough out onto a work surface sprinkled lightly with flour. Divide the dough in two and pat the dough into two disc shapes.
  • Wrap the discs in plastic wrap and chill the dough for 30 minutes.
  • Heat the oven to 350F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • Generously flour a work surface, as well as your hands and the rolling pin. The dough can become sticky as you work, so keep extra flour nearby to use as needed. You can roll out the dough between two pieces of wax paper or parchment paper to prevent any sticking issues if you prefer.
  • Roll out the disc until 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough with cookie cutters. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting until all is used.
  • Place the cookies 2" apart on the baking sheets.
  • Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn brown. Rotate the cookie sheets halfway through baking. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before decorating.

Gum Paste Holly and Berries

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You asked and I listened – a simple, fast sugar flower tutorial using minimal specialty tools. NO veiner and NO cutter required, but by all means, if you have them, you can totally use them. These fast and easy gum paste holly leaves and berries look gorgeous on a holiday or winter cake, cupcakes and other centerpiece holiday desserts. Make these unwired and with modeling chocolate and put them on a Bûche De Noël. Impressive and so, so beautiful.

Gum paste Holly and Berries

Supplies:

Gum paste – mid green and light red

Small rolling pin, like a Celpin

Groove Board, optional

Paper covered floral wire, gauge 28

Moss green 1/4″ floral tape

Petal dusts: bright red, dark green, moss green, golden yellow, brown, black

Egg white

Ball tool

Dresden tool

Firm foam mat, for shaping

Small square of aluminum foil, or holly veiner

Bumpy foam for drying

Paintbrushes for dusting

Small needle nose jewelry pliers

Umbrella modeling tool

Scribe tool, or toothpick

*More sugar flower supplies can be found in the Little Vintage Baking shop*

Gum paste holly and leaves

How to make the berries

1. Prep the berry supplies. Condition the red gum paste by kneading in a small amount of shortening until smooth and pliable.

2. Cut the floral wire into thirds, cutting as many as you need for your arrangement. Use small needle nose pliers to make a small hook on the end of the berry wires.

3. Roll a small ball of red gum paste, like the size of pea. Dip the hooked wire into egg white, removing any excess, and insert halfway into the berry.

4. Make a small indentation into the top center of the berry with the umbrella tool.

5. Make a light “x” shape over the indentation with the scribe tool. Set the berry aside to dry in the foam, and continue to make the remaining berries.

5. Once dry, liberally dust the berries with the bright red petal dust. Dust the centers of the berry (with the indentation and “x”) with the black dust. Just a small amount.

6. To set the color and remove the chalky appearance of the dusted berries, quickly wave the berries through the steam of a tea kettle, an iron, or a steamer. Take care to not burn yourself. The steam is very hot and can burn you. Set aside to dry.

Gum paste holly and berries

How to make the holly

1. Prep the holly supplies. Condition the green gum paste by kneading in a small amount of shortening until smooth and pliable. Cut the floral wire into thirds, cutting as many as you need for your arrangement.

2. Roll a small piece of green gum paste over the groove of a groove board. Don’t roll the paste too thin as you need to be able to stretch and thin it it out to shape it.

If you are not using a groove board, roll the paste out on a non stick surface. You want it thick enough to be able to insert a wire without it poking through the leaf.

3. Remove the paste from the groove board and set the paste down, groove side up.

4. Center a holly cutter over the groove, and cut out the leaf.

If you are not using a holly leaf cutter, use a very sharp, brand new blade exacto knife to cut out the shape of a holly leaf. Refer to photos online, or my holly above to cut out the correct shape. These do not have to be perfect or all the same shape and size. Remember, nature is imperfect.

5. Dip the end of a wire in egg white, wiping off the excess. Insert the wire into the groove of the leaf, about halfway up.

If you didn’t use a groove board, place the holly leaf between you thumb and pointer finger. With your other hand, insert the wire into the leaf, between your fingers so that you’re sort of guiding the wire into the leaf without it poking through the paste.

6. Place the leaf groove side down on a firm foam mat. Use the ball tool to thin the surface of the leaf and the edges, stretching the pointy tips of the leaf.

Gum paste holly and berries

7. Take a small piece of aluminum foil and crumple it up into a ball. Smooth out and flatten the foil, being careful not to rip it too much.

8. Place the leaf onto the foil. Fold the foil in half over the leaf and press lightly to make some subtle veining on both sides of the leaf.

9. Use the thin side of a dresden tool to draw a straight line from tip to bottom of the leaf. Make a few light veins on either side.

10. Point the tips of the holly leaf by pinching gently with your fingertips. Shape them a bit by slightly bending the tips down or up to give them some realism.

Gum paste holly and berries

11. Place the leaves onto some bumpy foam to dry completely.

12. Once dry, dust the leaves. Dust the center vein with the golden yellow dust.

13. Liberally dust the remaining front side of the leaf with the dark green dust.

14. Make a 50/50 blend of the dark green and moss green. Liberally dust the backside of the leaf.

15. Mix a small amount (50/50) of dark green and brown. Lightly dust the tips of the leaf to define the tips and slightly darken them.

16. To set the color and remove the chalky appearance of the leaves, quickly wave the leaves through the steam of a tea kettle, an iron, or a steamer. Take care to not burn yourself. The steam is very hot and can burn you. Set aside to dry before arranging.

Gum paste holly and berries

17. Stretch a length of floral tape to activate the glue. Individually tape the berries and leaves, taping about halfway down the wire.

18. Assemble your arrangement as desired.

If you make an arrangement using my gum paste holly and berries tutorial, be sure to leave me a comment or tag me on Instagram!

Ash xx

For more gum paste tutorials, check out these posts:

Gum Paste Blackberries, Leaves and Blossoms

Gum Paste Peony

Gum Paste Magnolia Branch

Florentine Bars

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Christmas baking has began in my house, and what better way to start the season off than with these truly magical Florentine bars. Flavored with honey and orange, these caramel and almond topped shortbread bars are so delicious and so very hard to eat just one. Drizzle the bars with dark chocolate, and they rival any candy bar. These bars would make a beautiful addition to any cookie box or gift. and they ship really well too.

Florentine Bars

What are Florentines?

Florentine cookies, or lace cookies as they are sometimes called, are typically filled with nuts, dried and candied fruits. They are usually dipped in chocolate, and can be fickle to make in their traditional form. Traditional Florentines are delicate, chewy, sticky and absolutely amazing. One of my favorite cookies. To make my Florentines a bit easier to make, and ship to family, I put my Florentine mixture on a thin shortbread crust. Crisp, chewy and sticky and delicious.

Florentine Bar

How to make the shortbread crust

The shortbread crust is easily made in a food processor (yay for shortcuts!) and pressed into a lined 8×8 square pan. My trick for getting flat and even crust is to push it in with the flat side of a bench scraper. For you weirdos like me that must have a perfect looking, even crust, this method is super satisfying and makes for a super flat crust. The crust is baked until lightly golden and cooled.

Florentine Bars

How to make the caramel topping

While the crust cools, the sugar, corn syrup, and water are combined and heated until amber in color. Butter and honey are added followed by cream. orange zest, vanilla and salt. Toasted, sliced almonds and any other dried or candied druit are mixed into the caramel. Glacé cherries, dried cranberries, figs, or candied oranges are so good in these bars. You can also use any nut you like. Hazelnuts would be delicious. When the nuts and fruit are mixed in, the caramel is spread over the cooled crust. The bars are baked until bubbly.

Florentine Bars

When the bars are cooled, they are cut into servings. Whilst baking, the caramel seeps down the side and coats the sides shortbread. Sometimes I cut off the outside edges of the bars (and I eat them, obvs) so that you can see the crust and topping, especially if I’m gifting these. Drizzle the bars with melted dark chocolate. Once the chocolate sets, the bars can be wrapped in parchment and tied off with twine or a decorative. Stack the wrapped bars in cookie boxes and they make a gorgeous gift.

Florentine Bars

If you make these Florentine bars, let me know! Drop a comment or tag me on Instagram. I love seeing your creations.

Enjoy!

Ash xx

For more holiday cookie recipes, check out these posts:

Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies

Espresso Toffee Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Florentine Bars
Print Recipe
4 from 1 vote

Florentine Bars

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time55 mins
Course: Dessert
Keyword: caramel bars, florentine bars, florentines, nuts, shortbread crust
Servings: 10 -12 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

  • 1 ¼ cups (210g) all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold

Caramel Topping

  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup (76ml) water
  • 1 tablespoon corn syrup
  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (84ml) honey
  • 1/2 cup (114ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 2 cups (172g) sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/3 cup (70g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F and line an 8x8 pan with two pieces of parchment paper which extend over the sides to give you a ‘"handles" (this helps with removing the slice easily once it is set).
  • In the bowl of a food processor, place the flour, sugar, and salt, and pulse to combine.
  • Add the butter and pulse until the mixture begins to form clumps.
  • Press the dough into the prepared pan, then level and smooth it with a bench press or measuring cup. Chill the crust for 10 minutes.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the shortbread is pale golden. Let cool completely.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Stir just to mix. Bring to a boil and heat until the mixture reaches 350F on a candy thermometer, or is amber in color.
  • Remove from the heat, and whisk in the butter and the honey. Be careful as it will steam and bubble.
  • Place back onto the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the heavy cream and the orange zest.
  • Cook the mixture until it reaches 250F on a candy thermometer.
  • Remove from the heat and add the almonds (and any other fruit or nuts you wish to add).
  • Immediately pour the caramel mixture over the shortbread crust, using a spatula to smooth out the mixture.
  • Bake the bars until the caramel begins to bubble, about 15-18 minutes.
  • Let the bars cool completely. Run a knife or spatula around the pan between the parchment and pan to loosen any caramel that may have escaped.
  • Remove the bars from the pan. Cut into bars or squares.
  • Melt the chocolate in the microwave at 30 second increments until melted and smooth.
  • Transfer the chocolate to a piping bag or a zip top bag and drizzle the bars with chocolate. You can also drizzle the chocolate with a fork.
  • Let the chocolate firm up before serving. Serve at room temperature.